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Harry Dunn’s alleged killer may have to return to Britain for next court hearing

Anne Sacoolas, 45, appeared before Westminster magistrates charged with causing the death of Harry Dunn, pictured, by dangerous driving - PA
Anne Sacoolas, 45, appeared before Westminster magistrates charged with causing the death of Harry Dunn, pictured, by dangerous driving - PA

Anne Sacoolas has been told that she may have to return to the UK for her next court hearing to face a charge of causing the death of Harry Dunn by dangerous driving.

On Thursday, Ms Sacoolas appeared before Westminster magistrates for the first time via video link from the US for the opening of the court case against her.

She was told she would be granted unconditional bail to appear before the Old Bailey for a hearing next month, when there will be legal argument about the preparation of her case.

The judge will decide whether she will have to appear in person or can do so again by video link after submissions by the prosecution and defence.

The 45-year-old is accused of causing the 19-year-old motorcyclist’s death following a collision outside a US military base in Northamptonshire in August 2019.

Ms Sacoolas left the UK 19 days after the collision outside RAF Croughton after the US government asserted diplomatic immunity on her behalf.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had originally scheduled the virtual hearing for Jan 18 until Ms Sacoolas pulled out, forcing the CPS to “vacate” it to “enable ongoing discussions between the CPS and Anne Sacoolas’s legal representatives to continue”.

Radd Seiger, family adviser to relatives of Harry Dunn, speaks to the media outside Westminster Magistrates' Court - James Manning/PA
Radd Seiger, family adviser to relatives of Harry Dunn, speaks to the media outside Westminster Magistrates' Court - James Manning/PA

At the six-minute hearing, the defendant spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth as she followed proceedings next to Amy Jeffress, her lawyer. Wearing a blue suit jacket and a spotted scarf, she looked straight ahead throughout the hearing.

After legal discussion, Paul Goldspring, the chief magistrate, told her: “The first thing I have to do is send your case to the Crown Court. I’m going to grant you unconditional bail in this case – that means there are no restrictions from the court on you.”

He told her she would be required to appear in person at the Old Bailey but said: “That may change because there will be a joint application to allow you to attend by video-link as you have today. Do you understand?” Ms Sacoolas replied: “Yes.”

Harry’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, alongside his twin brother Niall, arrived at court wearing either a “Kawasaki” green tie or a green scarf in memory of the teenager. His Kawasaki motorcycle was painted a distinctive green.

After the hearing, Radd Seiger, an adviser to the Dunn family, said: “The family will not be making any public comment at this time until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

“But I just wanted to say on their behalf, a massive thank you all for all your support over the last three years, and to the millions of people around the world who have supported this heroic family and their amazing campaign.”

Ms Sacoolas, whose address was not provided to the court because the chief magistrate was content with her lawyer’s address being provided instead, was granted unconditional bail to appear at the Old Bailey on Oct 27.